NTT Blog

Water and Air Systems: Are Your Employees Competent with Both?

There are plenty of ways to cool down a workplace in the summer. Choosing the best option can be a challenge. For some locations, an air conditioning (AC) unit will be the best way to keep cool. For others, a water system (or chiller) will be the better bet. For any company that installs cooling units, it is essential that your employees understand the differences between air and water systems. Being trained in both water and air systems isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

A Quick Primer on Water and Air Systems

What is a water system?

A water-based cooling system, or a chiller, uses liquid to cool a hot room by transferring heat in the air to a mixture of water and cooling fluid that is pumped through pipes. The warm fluid is then pumped to a refrigeration unit where it is cooled and then pumped back to begin the process again.

What is an air system?

An air system, or air conditioner (AC), cools down and dehumidifies air. It removes heat and moisture from air with a condenser, which transfers the heat to fluid and disperses it outside while pumping cool air into a room.

How are cooling systems used in industrial settings?

There are a wide variety of ways that workplaces use both chillers and air conditioners.

Large office buildings

Office buildings containing dozens to hundreds of workers need robust cooling to keep everyone in the building comfortable during the workday.

Computing

Servers generate a lot of heat. If you want to keep crucial data safe, it’s essential to have adequate cooling.

Factories

Factory settings often involve employees doing strenuous work. Keeping them cool is important for both their comfort and safety, and doing so often means figuring out how to keep the air cool in a very large work environment.

Mechanical equipment

Machines with lots of moving parts are at risk for catastrophic overheating if proper cooling measures are not taken. Chillers and air conditioners are a must for any workplace that features mechanical equipment.

Why is it helpful to be trained in both types of systems?

Having a well-rounded understanding of cooling systems will ensure that your business can take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Additionally, by understanding both air and water systems you can be sure to install the ideal system to suit a client’s needs, which will make it more likely that customers are completely satisfied with their service.

So is formal training in air and water systems worth it?

Formal training is a fantastic way to make sure that you and your employees have the well-rounded knowledge you will need to install, repair, and maintain all forms of cooling systems. Someone who is a self-taught expert in AC repair might have a few gaps in their understanding of chillers, or vice versa. Formal training fills those gaps and makes the best employees even better.

Keeping workplaces cool is an important aspect of our society, and keeping many of those cooling systems don’t function as well as they should. There is a sizable shortage of HVAC technicians in the United States; that’s one reason the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanic and installer jobs are going to skyrocket by 15 percent through 2026; we need to keep cool when it’s hot, and cooling systems require high-quality maintenance.

If you want to pursue formal training in cooling systems, NTT Training Inc. offers a seminar on balancing air and water systems that can give your employees the deep understanding of both air conditioners and chillers that you will need to offer the best possible service. For more information on this seminar, or on other NTT Training Inc. seminars, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

NTT Training Inc. has been accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). ACCET accreditation serves the interests of companies, agencies, and the public through the establishment of standards, policies, and procedures in conjunction with an objective third-party professional evaluation designed to identify and inspire sound education and training practices.